However, due to human activity, its eco-system has been threatened. In order to conserve its bio-diversity, as well as help local people improve their lives, Con Dao National Park has launched a job restructuring programme for 5 years.
Ngo Ngoc Son is a fisherman on Con Dao Island. He and officers from Con Dao National Park are checking cows that he and other fishermen are raising on the island. He used to catch abalones to earn living. Recently, he has shifted to raise cows, following a job restructuring programme launched by Con Dao National Park in 2010.
Son’s family is one of 50 households that have been granted loans by the Natural Resources Conservation and Development Fund of Con Dao National Park. The fund aims to support fishermen in transitioning to other jobs which have higher returns and help protect bio-diversity on the island.
Each household involved in the job restructuring programme will receive maximum loans of about 4,500 USD and minimum loans of 1,400 USD over 2 years. The interest of those loans is 6% per annum. Every year, Con Dao National Park conducts 2 assessments to see whether a household meets its requirements to take out these loans.
The Management Board of Con Dao National Park successfully called for the engagement of citizens on the island to protect the environment through the job restructuring programme. The programme has helped the locals increase their income and improve their lives.
